Most contests I've heard of are not in the habit of exploiting students, and
we're definitely no exception.

We sponsor a contest for high school clay artists which is held in
conjunction with our national clay exhibition. Each high school in our
county and the surrounding five counties is asked to participate. Once we
know how many schools are participating, we then know how many pieces we can
accomodate and ask the teachers to provide the top two (or three or four or
???) pieces from their school (according to the teachers - not as difficult
as it might seem). The exhibition is open for a month, and we provide a
juror who selects the top three pieces for which we award a rosette and a
cash prize.

We cover all expenses of hall rental, stands rental/painting, title cards,
volunteer docent staffing, reception, awards, mailing of show cards to the
public, press releases, etc. The choice to sell their piece is up to them -
if yes, great, and we only retain a 10% commission (at the teachers'
requests - just to give them a taste of the real art gallery world) and if
not, great, too.

As for the drunk driving poster contest - obviously I haven't read the
rules, prizes, etc. and I would hope there was no "exploitation" involved.
However, I must respectfully disagree as to children not being appropriate
to design posters as they don't drink and drive. Unfortunately, too many
children see the effects first hand of alcohol/drug abuse and driving under
the influence. And often, the old cliche "out of the mouths of babes" is
the most effective method of communicating a message to us adults wracked
with cynicism in our old age.

Jeanne>I feel the same way about many of the contests offered for children's art. I>feel it is a sneaky way to exploit children and its an inexpensive way for>leaches to decorate businesses, offices, banks, schools etc.>recently I was offered a drunk driving poster contest. I through it in the>garbage, children do not drink and drive. The contest should be offered to AA>members.>RB>>
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Jeanne-Marie Fritts
Executive Director
www.lincolnarts.org